Convertible furniture



June 5, 1934. F; D, sCHNElDER 1,961,457

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed June so, 1932 2 sheets-snee# 1 Sil@ h n vWEA/me.-

Mumia June 5, 1934' F. b. SCHNEIDER 1,961,457

CONVERTIBLE FURNITURE Filed June 5o, 1952 n 2 sheets-sheet 2 PatentedJune 1934 UNITED sr'rlvresA PAT ENT; OFFICE coNvEa'rmLE Frederick D.schneider, musiae, N. J., assigner to. Else Gender Schneider, Hillside,N. J.

Applicaties June so, 1932, serial No. 620,098

2o claims. (ci. 15s-'130)' e My invention pertains to convertiblefurni-` ture and more particularly to a' plurality of separate pieces offurniture designed s'o as to be adapted for assembly so as collectivelyVto construct a single piece of furniture.

5 The drawings exemplify. embodiment of the principles of my inventionin four chairs and a table which when separated will exercise theirordinary function as pieces of furniture, but

which may be compactly assembled and interstable, comfortable orornamental for continuous appearance in the home or hotel. When 5 not inuse they have required storage space which might otherwise usefully orneedfully be available, especially in some modern apartments where noexcess space is to be found. Accordingly, the object of my invention isto make the separate pieces of furniture convertible to alternative useWith simplicity and facility of the converting operation and withoutinvolving discouraging manufacturing expense. While I have exemplifiedone form of my invention as 5 a conversion of a table and four chairsinto a lounging chair. or the reverse, I have not lsupposed it necessaryto limit my claim to such specified articles of furniture, but instead,in-

tend to cover the convertible principle whichl is not dependent uponhinges, links or other connecting or attaching devices. My familiaritywith some of the prior marketed art warrants such a supposition. Nor amI dissuaded by my knowledge of the disclosure of prior patents includingHorneburg No. 567,595 ,of September 15, 1896; Huether No. 654,639'01July 31, 1900; Gauvin, Jr. and Moore No. 789,364 of May 9, 1905; SwitzerNo. 1,017,342 of February 13, 1912; Perry No. 1,253,141 of March 5,1918; Austin No. 1,271,830 of July '9, 1918; Ecken- Walder No. 1,484,630of February 26, 1924; Giard No; 1,520,641 of December 23, 1924; ScharlNo. 1,535,044 of April 21, 1925; Scholnhammer No. 1,773,501 of August19, 1930.

The drawings further exemplify three modi- Folding chairs and table havebecome pro ned-forms orv structural arrangements embodying principles ofmy invention, in two forms there being used with four chairs, a table to.interlock them while in its inverted position and according to anotherform using duplicate chairs with a table having hinged along one edge anelement adapted alternatively to lie against the undersideof the tabletop or to be swung upwardly when the table is in its inverted positionso as to constitute a rest for C5 a lounging chair of which the backs ofthe duplicate chairs shall constitute lateral arm rests; the other usingtwo pairs of duplicate chairs and one pair of which comprises inaddition .to back rests lateral arm rests, which four chairs"(duplicated in pairs) are then arrangedin closelynested position withduplicatechairs in diagonally opposite corners.

Adverting to lthe drawings: v Figure 1 is a perspective view of aseparated cardtable and four chairs embodying the vfeatures ofmy`invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of theA sa e five unitsshown in Figure 1 converted into va lounging chair. Fign ure 3 an`enlarged front elevation of Figure 2`with a table flange sectioned andshowing in Vdotted lines the legs of the table projecting up intothe'backs of the chairs. Figure 4 is a horizontal section on line `4 4of Figure v3. Figure 5 is a perspective view ofzone of two duplicatechairs. Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of a pair of right andleft hand chairs. Figure 7 is a vertical section through a modified formof table in its inverted` position and having hinged thereto a back:rest forming element also shown in dotted lines in its alternativepositionv whereby when suchv a, table is employed four duplicate chairslike the one shown in Figure 5 might be employed. Figure 8 is a brokenview showing how the table modification of Figure 7`cooperates withduplicate chairs. Figure 9 isa perspective view of a second modificationwherein two pairs of duplicate chairs, one pair differing'` from theother, may be rearranged on an inverted table having folding legsentering slo'ts in the edges of the chairs. -Figure 10 is a horizontalsectionof Figure 9 taken on a line above the seats. p Figure 11 is aperspective view of an altered arrangement for nesting four duplicatechairs m5 as a duplex settee.

In Figure lethere may be observed two duplicate chairs 1, having ratherlow back rests 2 and seat portions 3. The design` of the chairs 1will-of course vary depending upon whether made Vholders or ash trays.

2.. of wood or steel. but it is merely of consequence to this inventionthat the back rests proper do not extend as high as usual above theseats and thatv the sides, fronts and backs of the chairs may be broughtinto close abutting relationship. The backs of the chairs l -areprovided in each corner with a bore or hole 4 which is open be.

low and extends upwardly to terminate short of emergence through thetop.

A pair of what I term right hand and left hand chairs shown in Figure 1will preferably have the same height and size of 'seat and the 4sameheight of back rest. In`Figure 6 the right hand chair 5 includes a back"rest 6, a seat 7 and a right side arm rest 8 which is of the same heightas the back rest 6. Upholstering or cushioning of the chairs will beoptional., The chair 5 is similarly provided at the junction of its backwith an upwardly extending hole 14 whicheorref sponds to the hole 9inits companion chair.

A table comprises a top 15 of a predetermined shape and size for reasonswhich will hereinafter appear. At its four corners ythe table topcarries four upwardly projecting cup-shaped members 16 adapted when sopositioned to serve as glass The margin of the top is defined by aquadrilateral depending flange 17 which encloses the upper ends of fourcorner table legs 18 designed to fit, one pair in two of the holes 4 andthe other pair in the holes 9 and 14 when the table is inverted as shownin Figures 3 and 4. In such inverted position of the table thecup-shaped members 16 will function as very short legs for the convertedpiece of furniture comprising the assembled units to constitute asappears in Figure 2 a lounging chair preferably to contain one or morecushions not shown.

The size of the tabl'top which is enclosed by the upwardly projectingflange 17 when the table n is inverted, is such that it veryslightlyexceeds the Vcombined areas of the bases of the two chairs 1 andof the chairs 5 and 10 to permit the iiange 17 snugly to confine thebottoms of all four chairs when arranged as shown in Figures 2 and 4. Inbringing the chairs of light weight to such an arrangement each islifted high enough to permit insertion of=one tablel leg` 18v into itshole'4, 9 or 14. when: assembled as shown in Figure 2 the flange17'vifillfpfreventdis-Y placement of the compact internes'ted chair arlrangement and the interlocked arrangement by.

reason of the occupancy by the legs 18 of four of the holes 4, 9 and 14will prevent tipping of the chairs. The Figures yzand '4I showv theseats and the interiors ofthe back and-armrestsv upholstered asdesignated by the'single numeral 19 in'Figure 4. As before statedsuchcushioning 4 may selectively be omitted as iixed lelements of thechairs.

cesses in the inverted table top in 'lieu of confinement by a table topnange and to, serve the equivalent function of preventing chair.displacement as well as proper initial-arrangement.

The modification of Figures 7 and 8 involves a table 20 provided with aflange 21 and convertible back rest 22 hinged at 23 along the inside ofone flange section. Four duplicate chairs 24 are then arranged iront tofront in pairs and side to side as other pairs after the convertibleback rest 22 has been swung up to its dotted line position in Figure 7in which it will serve as a back rest extending across one end of thecomposite lounging chair wherein the back rests of the four chairs 24constitute arm rests.

The modification disclosed by Figures 9 and 10 pertains toa table 25having tv vp, of its diagonally opposite legs 26 hinged. Two plainchairs 27 like the chair shown iniFigure 5 are arranged with their backs28 staggered near the `middle line of the table. Two duplicate chairs 29like the chair 10 shown in Figure 1 are arranged as shown to occupy thetwo opposite corners. 'Ihe chairs 29, in addition to holes at tablecorners, have their seat supports fashioned withJ slots 31 (see'Figure9) .to be occupied by the two hinged legs 26 when they are folded downagainst the top. Such an arrangement will constitute what is known as aduplex or facefto-face conversation chair. l

Figure 11 shows an arrangement for achieving a duplex settee, wherein atable 32 has all four of its legs 33 hingedly adapted to fold iiatagainst the underside of the tabletop which. is enough larger in area topermit four duplicate chairs 34 of steel framing to be arranged in pairsback to back inside of the rectangle dened by the four folded tablelegs. Securing -pair is adapted when turned to clamp the legs of twocorrespondingly faced chairs after having entered through the slots 37which are appropri i' ately positioned in two oppositely disposedsections of the table ange 36.

It is to be realized that the scope of my invention comprehends manyequivalent constructions. The showing of the drawings and the particulardescription aremerely specific exemplincations of a plurality ofmechanical embodiments and arrangements.

I claimz'- 1.-Convertible furniture comprising a pair of chairs oneprovided on one'side and the other one on the opposite side with a wallextending from top to bottom and an inverted table for securing saidchairs in appositioned relation with front edges of said walls,considering the chairs as separated, abutting each other'and serving as-provided-l on onevside with a.l permanentV up-v `standing wall.extending. to the front edge of-its seat, apair of duplicatechairsconforming. in size and shape of seat and back rest to Asaid firstmentioned pair of chairs and an inverted' table for securing said nrstmentioned'pair of chairs in appositioned relation vwith front edges ofsaid wallsabutting each other and for secure ingsaidl last mentionedpair of chairs alongside said first mentioned pair of chairs`respectively and in apposition to each other, whereby to construct alounging chair with' quadruple seat area 'adapted to serve as arm rests.

3. Convertible furniture comprising flve units, namely. a pair ofduplicate chairs each including a seat-supporting section, seat-and backrest, said chairs being furthermore provided on one side with a wallextendingfrom front to back, a pair of duplicate chairs conforming insize and shape of seat and back rest to said flrst mentioned pair ofchairs and a table adapted in itsV inverted position to secure saidfirst mentioned pair of chairs in appositioned relation and with thefront edges of said walls abutting each other and likewise adapted tosecure said last mentioned pair of chairs alongside of said firstmentioned pair of chairs respectively and in apposition to each other,

whereby to construct a lounging 4chair with quadruple seat area and withthe back rests of all of said chairs adapted to serve as arm rests, thelegs of said table and raised sections of said chairs being interfitted.v

4. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs arranged inabutting relation to form a chair assembly and having openings open attheir lower ends, and an inverted table for interlocking said chairs asa unit, the legs of said table occupying said chair openingsrespectively.

5. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs havingelongated openings extended into the backs thereof, said chairs beingar-` ranged in abutting relation to form a chair assembly and aninverted table having legs entered in said openings respectively, thetop of said table when vin its normal position carrying receptacles atcorners thereof, said receptacles -when the table is in its invertedposition serving 7. Convertible furniture comprising four lowbackedchairs, said chair backs being fashioned with holes, and a table havinglegs and a top bordered'by an encompassing flange which depends duringthe normal table-functionating po- I sition and which flange is adaptedto enclose in four corner arrangement the lowest leg por- `tionsv ofsaid chairswhen said table is in an inverted position, said table legsoccupying said h'oles respectively, two of said chairs having angularlyydisposed back and arm rests conforming to two sides of said chairs andwhile supported upon the inverted table being. in edge abutment witheach other and with the two otherV chairs respectively whereby toconstitute the composite back and composite lateral arm rests of alounging chair.

8. vAs convertible'furniture, the combination of right and left chairseach comprising -a seat a .backrest and one lateral armrest, a pair ofduplicate chairs each comprising a seat and thereabove only a backrest,certain portions of all four chairs being of the same size and shape,and a table bordered by a flange encompassing the combinedfioor-adjacent sides of said `chairs and confining the chairs as anassembled unit,

with pairs of like chairs appositioned with the front edges of theirseats abutting each other and with said armrests of said first-mentionedpair of chairs along one border of the assembly whereby said armrestsconstitute a. composite backrest for a constructed chair of quadrupleseat sizeand whereby pairs of the four individual chair backs eachconstitute a lateral armrest for the converted chair assembly.

9. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of substantially similarfurniture pieces each having a plurality of edges adapted contactuallyto nest together a different kind of furniturel piece when in itsinverted position snugly enclosing portions of said plurality/fsubstantially similar pieces while in nested assembly, and,-

means'for interlocking all the pieces when in such inter-fitted relationwhereby collectively to construct a distinct piece of furniture.

10. Convertible furniture comprising a plurallity of furniture pieces oflike function havingl edges adapted contactually to nest together, adifferent kind of furniture piece bordered by a ange conforming to outerborders of said first mentioned pieces when nested, said flange snuglyenclosing lower portions of said nested furniture pieces when theange-carrying furniture piece is in its invertedV position, otherportions of one kind of furniture being confined by the other kind offurniture whereby to construct a distinct article of furniturev havingits constituent parts interlocked..

l1. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs, and a tablehaving depending portions in their inverted 4position snugly enclosingsaid chairs while the latter are resting upon segments of said tabletop, said table being' provided with a hinged member adapted to be swungat an angle to said table top and to constitute an end rest extendingbetween the back `rests of two of said chairs as a part of a compositelyenlarged chair.

l2. Convertible furniture comprising a pluralits inverted position intongue and groove connection with said chairs respectively, and a memberhinged to the table and alternatively adapted to lie. against the tabletop or to constitute an end rest extending between the lateral edges ofthe spaced backrests of two of said chairs, and to constitute thebackrest of `a lounging article of furniture having as armrests thebacks of said chairs.

13. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs having onlyback vrests above their seats, a table having its top fashioned with adownwardly flanged margin snugly enclosing the bases of said chairs whenthe table is inverted, and a memberhinged along one edge of said tableand alternatively adapted to lie against the table top or to constitutean end rest extending between the lateral edges of the spaced back restsof two of said chairs and to constitute the back rest of a loungingarticle of furniture having as arm rests the backs of said chairs, saidchair backs being provided each with an aperture occupied by a leg ofsaid inverted table whereby in cooperation with the table flange tosecure the chairs against both tipping and base separation.

14. Convertible furniture comprising ve units,

namelyfa pair of chairs each including a seatsupporting section, seatand back rest. said chairs being furthermore provided on ons side with,a section raised above said seat. a pair of duplicate plain chairsconforming in size and shape of seat and back section to said firstmentioned pairV of chairs and a table in its inverted vim positionsecuringy said rst mentioned pair o! chairs in appositioned relationwith the front edges of said raised side sections juxtaposed to eachother and likewise securing said last mentioned pair of chairs alongsideof said first mentioned pair of chairs respectively and in apposition toeach other, whereby to construct a lounging chair with quadruple seatarea and with the back rests of all of said chairs adapted to serve asarm rests, the=legs of said table and raised sections of said chairsbeing interiitted.

15. Convertible furniture comprising four chairs arranged in abuttingrelation about a central point to form a chair assembly and meanscomprising an inverted table having a top supporting said chairs andhaving up-standing edge portionsadapted to embrace said chairs'.

16. Convertible furniture comprising a plurality of chairs arranged inendless abutting relation about a central point and each chair incontact with a plurality of other chairs to form a chair assembly and aninverted table having legs, one leg interfitted with each of said chairsat outer borders of the latter whereby to unify and secure saidassembly.

17. Convertible furniture comprising four chairs, adapted to nesttogether with their outer borders deilning a plane ligure ofpredetermined shape, a table having a top bordered by an encompassingiiange which depends during the normal table-functionating position andwhich aange-amphis encima ma mma cum when said table-itin an invertedposition, the

backrest!of80111450!'laidchitlrshliiligliillletlilv to nest together andeach provided with a hole, y

a table providedwith a plurality of legs and -having its top bordered bya ilange projecting in the same direction as said legs, said ilangeconforming to outer borders of said chairs when nested together and whenin its inverted position snugly enclosing the bases of said chairs, saidtable legs each adapted -to 'occupy a hole in a diiferent one of thechairs whereby a modliied, composite and interlocked chair assembly isachieved.

20. Convertible furniture comprising a table including hinged legs and atop, four chairs adapted to have Atheir seats in interiitted abuttingrelation and then to rest upon equal segments of said table top whilethe table is inverted, the b'acks of certain of said chairs beingfashioned withslots for occupancy by foldedn legs respectively wherebyto interlock the chairs and table as an assembly to produce a differentarticle of furniture. t

FREDERICK D. SCHNEIDER.

